Hyundai's performance sub-brand, N, will focus on "balanced performance" rather than race track specials, with the first model likely to break cover some time in 2016.

The much-hyped N brand will cover everything from small hatchbacks such as the i30 all the way to the soon-to-arrive Genesis luxury brand.

"It's going to be focused on balanced performance, not just the best horsepower … or the best 0-100 kilometre per hour time," said Hyundai North America vice president of product planning Mike O'Brien.

"It's going to be more about a combination of great acceleration and performance and great driving dynamics as well."

O'Brien said the benchmark Golf GTI was a car Hyundai was taking particular notice of in developing its N brand.

"Certainly GTI has been one of the things we've looked at very closely … as being a good target."

Hyundai America president and CEO David Zuchowski added that the N brand was a crucial part of the rollout of the planned five-model Genesis luxury brand over the next five years.

"To play in that segment I think that becomes really important," said Zuchowski, who added that he wanted a car to compete with the likes of the BMW M3 and M4.

"It's important because we really never have established a performance image in this market."